Paul A Johnson

paul johnson

December 3, 1929 ~ September 13, 2022

Born in: Enderlin, North Dakota
Resided in: Fargo, North Dakota

Paul A. Johnson, 92, passed away peacefully on September 13, 2022, at Bethany on University, Fargo, ND.

Paul Andrew Johnson was born on December 3, 1929, the son of Paul and Emma (Flath) Johnson near Enderlin, ND. He moved to Fargo at an early age with his family where he received his education, graduating from Fargo Central High School in 1947.

Paul was united in marriage to Mabel Wagner on February 24, 1950, and four children were born to this union. They raised their family in the Fargo-Moorhead area.

Paul was united in marriage to Gayle Rostad on May 17, 1973. They had 48 wonderful years of marriage.

In 1982 Paul built their home on Big Floyd Lake where they lived and enjoyed the beautiful lake area for 39 years. They lived in the Detroit Lakes area until the time of Gayle’s passing in April of 2021.

In his youth, Paul delivered the Fargo Forum and worked at Vic’s Market. After high school, Paul went to work for International Harvester Co. in the parts department, eventually becoming the parts department manager and later went into truck sales. In 1965, Paul became the heavy-duty truck manager at W. W. Wallworks, retiring after 24 years of service. After retirement, he sold real estate in the lake area for a short time.

Paul was a longtime, faithful member of Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church. He was a member of F-M Sertoma service club and was a member of Detroit Lakes El Zagel Shriners. He enjoyed his yearly fishing and hunting trips to northern Minnesota and Manitoba with his sons and friends. Paul also enjoyed woodworking and was always proud that he had built two homes for his family.

Paul is survived by his children, Debra (Steven) Olson of Fargo, ND, Stephen (Bette) Johnson of Wisconsin, Craig (Karla) Johnson of Fargo, ND, Kimberly (David) Koop of St. Cloud, MN; his two step-children, Lori (Brad) Anderson and Randy (Christy) Rostad both of Fargo, ND; his four grandchildren, Jason (Katie) Liljestrand, Jill Liljestrand, Nathan (Tess) Johnson, and Emily (Sam) Woolsey; his five great-grandchildren; his five step-grandchildren, Lindsey (Chris) Welle, Whitney Anderson, Becca (Spencer) Dockham, Parker Rostad, Hailey Rostad; his four step-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle Johnson; parents, Paul Johnson and Emma Johnson; his sisters, Madelyn Hargrave, Frances Nielsen, and Elaine Swanson.

In these last years, we saw God gave our dad a greater faith and trust in the gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord, a hope that gave him peace and assurance of eternal life found in the Word of God.

A funeral service will be held at Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church on Monday, September 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., with visitation held one hour prior to the service and interment to follow at Riverside Cemetery in Fargo, ND.

Please send memorials to Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Paul’s Video Tribute can be viewed below:

Services

Funeral Service - Monday: September 19, 2022 1:00 pm

Detroit Lakes United Methodist
885 Pembina Trail
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56501

(218) 847-4818
https://www.dlumc.org/

Visitation - Monday: September 19, 2022 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Detroit Lakes United Methodist
885 Pembina Trail
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota 56501

(218) 847-4818
https://www.dlumc.org/

Burial:

Riverside Cemetery - Fargo
2102 5th St S
Fargo, North Dakota 58103

(701) 235-2671
https://www.fargoriverside.com/

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Memories Timeline

Guestbook

  1. Sympathies to you Deb, Steve & families. You’ll be in our prayers 🙏 during the days ahead. Paul is at peace 🕊️ in Heaven, our final Home. Take Care 🌈🌟😇

  2. Our heartfelt sympathy to you, Debbie, Steve, Jason, Jill and your extended family! Know we’re thinking of you with much love and prayers!!

  3. Paul was my dad’s (Alton Johnson) first cousin and I remember visiting Paul when I was a little girl at his place of work in Fargo. Please accept my deepest condolences Kim and family.

  4. My name is Betty (Johnson) Gibbons and I was married to Earl Johnson of Fingal, N D . Earl was Carl and Lottie Johnson’s son and would be Paul’s first cousin. My daughter Pamela and I visited Paul one time at the lake and his niece was there with her daughter from Paris, France .Her name was Susan Marjorlet . I used to write to her but have since lost track of her and was wondering what happened to her. I want to also extend my deepest sympathy to the Paul Johnson family, my prayers and thoughts are with you through the days to come.

  5. Paul was married to Gayle, my mother’s cousin. Our deepest sympathies to the Johnson family on their loss.

    Robert and Marilyn Bensen
    Tom and Terry Granlund


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